Trump Had Been “Crushed by a Woman He Called Dumb as a Rock”
Donald Trump is doubling down on his claim of victory following a contentious debate with Kamala Harris, despite widespread criticism of his performance and polling that suggests otherwise. The debate, marked by Trump’s ranting about Haitian immigrants and an odd defense of the “entertainment value” of his political rallies, was seen by many as a low point for the Republican nominee.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared, “People are just starting to give me credit for having a GREAT DEBATE,” insisting that voter support, particularly among independents and evangelicals, was turning in his favor. “The Voters and Voter Polls showed it, but the Fake News Media wasn’t giving the credit that was due,” Trump continued, attempting to reshape the narrative around the night.
However, polls paint a different picture. Surveys conducted by CNN, YouGov, and SoCal Strategies following the debate show Harris clearly in the lead, with an average 23-point margin. According to these polls, 57% of viewers believed Harris won the night, compared to 34% siding with Trump.
Even within his own party, Trump is facing criticism. GOP strategist Karl Rove penned a harsh assessment in The Wall Street Journal, writing that Trump was “crushed by a woman he called dumb as a rock,” further amplifying the narrative that the night belonged to Harris, not Trump.
As Trump’s team scrambles to regain control of the campaign, Tuesday’s debate has left them with a steep hill to climb, and a need to refocus on winning back key voter demographics.
